Game device



E. H. CRAIG Nov. 17, 1936.

GAME DEVICE Filed March 20, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet ll.

Satan Nov; 17, 1936. E. H. CRAIG GAME DEVICE Filed March 20, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edurpn h". 9,

Nov. 17; 1936. RA|G GAME DEVICE Filed March 20, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3mm I elm in H Cra Ly,

i 6 3 2 6 7 Jnrfl 7 Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME mavron Edwin 11. Craig, Shippensberg, Pa. I

Application March 20, 1935, Serial No. 12,077 8 Claims (Cl. 273-414) This invention relates to a game device similar to football for two opposing teams in which the quarterbacks of the respective teams when on the ofiensive preselect the particular type of play believedtmost suitable under the conditions presented and by the operation of a playing mechanism determine the success or failure of the selected play and the extent thereof.

The invention includes the provision of various elements to simulate in appearance as well as in operation the actual playing conditions encountered m intercollegiate football, while at the same time preserving in so far as possible simplicity of means and operation to make the game attractive to football novices as well as studen of this nationalsport.

For many years a football teams success was practically proportional to the average weight of the players but with the introduction of more open play and superior field generalship on the part of the quarterbacks conditions changed until at the present time the importance of weight has been; minimized. The character of the game from the "fspectators view has also changed. Instead of seeing one team conquer another by wearing it down through plays of force a spectator sees short line drives, off tackles, passes, end runs, cross' bucks, reverses, lateral passes, as well as their modifications, according to the selection of the particular play by the offensive quarterback. In selecting a play the quarterback considers a number of factors including the previous success of a certain play, the position of the ball on the field, the yards to go for first .down, the 35 number of downs remaining'and many others. The defensive team triesto anticipate the play as does also the spectator who, if the play is unsuccessful,'feels that the offensive quarterback selected the wrong play under the circumstances. Such spectator thinks that if he could have determined the play to be used the result would have been a substantial gain instead of the loss probably incurred.

The gameforming the subject of this invention is designed to give the player an opportunity to act as field general or quarterback and after appraising the position of the ball on the field, the number of downs remaining, and the yards to go preselect'that type of play which he feels should be successful. Then having selected his play he operates a playing mechanism including indicia of results based upon statistics from a large numher 0 intercollegiate games to determine the sucson may enjoy all of the thrills of determining the strategy of his team.

A student of the game before selecting a play will at least subconsciously consider a number of factors since it is well recognized that the type of play to be employed depends upon the particular circumstances presented. For example, when a team is back against its own goal line, it will not, except in very rare instances, attempt a forward pass, and generally prefers to rely upon the more or less safe line plunge, or off tackle play, so that the danger of losing the ball to the opposing team under conditions which might be most favorable to the other team's making a touchdown is minimized.

When a team is in substantially the middle of the field, the play is generally more open and chances are taken on unusual types of plays, passes, and the like, which type of play is not so dangerous as when a team is near its own goal line, since, should a pass be intercepted, the opposing team will not be within striking distance of goal.

As the team progresses toward its opponents goal the opposition becomes stiller and gains are generally shorter}, so that the type of play is, as a rule, more conservative, as was the case when the team was near its own goal line. These factors and many others based on actual games form the statistical basis for indicia on a playing mechanism.

Inview of these varying types of plays that are normally resorted to, depending upon where the ball is in play, it is customary for the quarterback to mentally divide the field into various zones, resorting to particular types of plays according to the zone in which the ball is coaches but a division of the field into approximately four equal zones probably represents an average division of the field.

The game device of the instant invention recognizes these differences in type of play and the varying success attending particular plays inv given zones.

As a result of statistics based upon a large number of intercollegiate football games, it has been found that within the zones particular plays result in a certain number of gains, or losses of varying amounts and frequencies as well as some penalties. For example, in the zone closest to the opponents goal, the chances of success on a forward pass-are relatively small but, on the other hand, an occasionally successful pass generally results in a touchdown while there is also a possibility of an interception. These results based uponea study of a large number of college football games are set forth more in detail hereinafter.

The game device forming the subject-matter of. this invention includes a playing fleldi with suitable indicia to indicate the side lines, goal lines, goal posts, etc., and a selector for indicating the particular play to be used under the circumstances presented. This selector is coupled with an instrument operated by but not under the control of the player for determining the success or failure of the particular play and the extent thereof.

It has been proposed to provide games simulating football in which various mechanisms are used to deter-mime the success or failure of a particular play for the team in possession of the ball. However, those games of the prior art were dependent solely upon chance and the skill of the player in preselecting a particular type of play, depending upon the position of the ball, the

down, and the yards to go was not a factor in the game.

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a game device which is readily understood, trouble free, practical, and of a type simulating football in which the opposing players can, before each play, select that type of play, which they believe to be the best type and the most successful under the conditions presented.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a football game useful for teaching players the fine points of the game or giving persons who are only spectators an opportunity to determine the plays used in real games.

Another object involves the provision of a game having all of the elements and types of plays normally occurring in a football game and in which the chances of success are substantially the same as those usuallyattendant upona particular type of play in a regulation football game.

A further object includes the provision of a game board and accessories to simulate a playing field.

Another object is to provide an instrument by means of which a player may preselect and set a visible indicator for the particulartype of play which he proposes to make.

' A still further object includes the provision, of an instrument operated by the player, but not specifically under his control, which, through an element of chance, although based upon statistics, indicates the success or failure, and extent thereof, attendant upon the particular play proposed.

A more particular object is to provide a game device wherein a surface with suitable indicia to simulate a playing field is used in combination with a playing mechanism including a movable element having thereon a plurality of sets of individual indicia, means for designating a par- V the designating means.

ticular setof indicia,,and means to cause the indicia element to move until an individual indicia of the designated set of indicia is opposite These and other objects which will be apparent from the sequent description are all embraced within this invention which is hereinafter more particularly described as to a specific embodiment, which embodiment is illustrated in the drawingsforming a parrot this application, and inwhich-z Figure 1 is a perspective view showing th mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing about half of the playing field;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the playing mechanism with the cover removed and a portion of the cylinder in cross-section;

Fig. 5 is a" view in section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view in section along the line 6-4 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig; 8 is a view in section along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a view in section along the line 9-9, looking in the direction of the arrows of Fig. 8,

. and

Fig. 10 is a view insection along the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 2.

The playing instrument comprises a suitable base member 2 for mounting the various parts comprising the instrument which are enclosed the cylinder may be read by the players. Ex-

tending along the middle of the rectangular opening I6 is a wire l8 attached to the top of the instrument case 4, at one end by a small hook 20, and at the other end by another small hook 22. The wire I8 maybe kept taut by a'short tension spring l9. As will be evident other means for keeping the wire l8 tight may be used instead of the spring l9 illustrated. Slidablyattached to [the wire I 8 is an indicator 24 serving as a play selector that may be moved for entire length of the opening it.

. The play selector 24 is slidable along the wire l8 and may be set to indicate the particular play desired before the playing mechanism is operated. The wire l8 and indicator 24 represent only one form of play selector; 'Another form might include a small'slidable tab projecting from one side I! of the opening l6 or across bar between the side I! and the opposing parallel edge of the opening IS. The important feature is to provide suitable means for indicating the selected play practically the before the playing mechanism is operated. A

small V-shaped projection 26, at one end of the rectangular opening I6,-is directly beneath the wlrel8 and indicates the central line of the rectangular opening. 7

Within the casing 4 a rotatable element in the form a cylinder I0 is mounted. The rotatable element is provided. with indicia correlated with the plays indicated on the casing 4 along the opening l6. Instead of employing a single cylinder actuated each time a plurality of cylinders independently operated could be used. An independent cylinder could be used for each play, each zone, or otherwise divided as desired. Instead of providing the result indicia of the playing mechanism on the-circumferencev of a, cylinder or cylinders, a flat disk could be substituted and enclosed in a case with a radial opening. These and other modifications which, will be apparent to those skilled in the art are all embraced within the scope of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of the cylinder I8 is mounted between upright brackets 28 and 38. The bracket 38 is threaded to receive a bolt 32, provided with a lock nut 34. A hollow portion at the threaded end of the bolt 32 is adapted to receive a pin on shaft 36, projecting from the center of a supporting disk 38 of the cylinder I8. The bolt 32 should be adjustable to take up play in the cylinder mountings and is held in adjusted position by the locknut 34.

The bracket 28, supporting the opposite end of the cylinder I8, includes a bearing member 48,

- Fig. 7, to receive one end of a shaft 42, extending from the end of the cylinder I8 and supporting disk 44 thereof. Adjacent a ratchet 46 keyed to the shaft 42 is a rotatably mounted plate 48. A pawl 50 pivoted at 52, on the plate 48 and normally urged against the ratchet 46 by a spring 54, Fig. 6, transmits movement of the plate 48 in one direction to the ratchet 46 and to the cylinder I8. An opening 56 in the plate 48 is adapted to receive the bent end 58 of a rod'68, which extends through the casing 4, on the outside of which a knob 62 is placed. The rod 68 is slidably mounted in suitable openings in the bracket 28, and normally urged upwardly by a compression spring'64, held at one end by an extension 66 of the bracket 28, and at the other end by a washer 68 keyed onto the rod 68 by a key I8. A keyed washer 12 holds the bent end 58 of the rod 68 in the opening 56 of the plate 48.

The mechanism thus far described is that for rotatably actuating the cylinder I8. The player, by pressing firmly and rapidly on the knob 62, urges the rod 68 against the spring 64, and causes the plate 48 to rotate about the shaft 42. The pawl 58, engaging the ratchet 46, rotates the cylinder I8 in the direction indicated, by the arrow in 6. When the operators hand is removed from the knob 62, the spring 64 urges the rod 68 upward but the inertia. of the drum causes it to continue its rotation until friction eventually causes it to stop; The pawl 58 urged against the ratchet 46 by the spring 54 tends to stop the cylinder at certain fixed positions and the indicia 14, Fig. 4, on the cylinder I8 is exposed through the rectangular opening I 6. Since the opposing players will'frequently be on opposite sides of the playing mechanism, it is Preferable to provide the cylinder I8 with two sets of indicia I6 and 18, so that the results may be read on either side. The ratchet wheel 46 is so placed on the keyed shaft 42 that the dividing line 88 between two similar sets of indicia will normally line up with the V-shaped projection 26 under the wire I8.

The invention also includes mechanism for indicating the numberof plays completed in a given interval such as a quarter. and also the number of quarters that have been played, as well as the particular quarter during which play is taking place. To this endthere is mounted on the bracket 28, by a rivet I88, a. relatively long rectangular lever I82. Angular projections therefrom, I84, provide anchors for rods I86 which, when the rectangular lever I82 is substantially horizontal, extend almost to the base 2.

The rods I86 are adjustably attached to the lever by nuts I88. Another angular projection 8 from the rectangular lever I82 serves to anchor a short downwardly extending rod I I2. A spring rectangular lever I82 in a clockwise direction.

At one end of the rectangular lever I82 it is bent at right-angles to form a projection I22 to which is pivotally riveted a dog I24, provided with a weighted end I26 to normally urge the tooth I28 into contact with the toothed wheel II8.

Another bracket I38 mounted on base member 2 extends upwardly to provide a rotatable mounting for a shaft I32. The shaftl32 on one side of the bracket I38 carries a spacing washer- I33 and a flat cylindrical member I34 on the peripheral surface of which is suitable indicia I36 to indicate the number of plays accomplished, or the number of minutes remaining in a given quarter, or similar information. The flat cylindrical member I34 and the toothed wheel II8 are both fixed with reference to each other and to the shaft I32. When actuated by the dog I24, the toothed wheel II8 rotates the cylindrical member I34 step by step to expose successive indicia through the opening I31 in a portion of the auxiliary cover I2. On one face of the fiat cylindrical member I34 is a projecting pin I38 that is adapted to engageone arm 8 of a bellcrank lever I42 pivoted on a shaft I44 mounted on the bracket I38. The other end of the bellcrank I42 is in the form of a striker to sound a bell I48, also mounted on the bracket I38. The pin I38is so placed on the cylindrical member I34 that the bell I48is rung once for each complete revoluable indicia I56, Fig. 4, to indicate the number of revolutions of the first indicator I54 and may be calibrated to indicate quarters by First, .Second, "Thir and Fourth. The projecting arms I52 are moved a quarter of a revolution for each revolution of the cylindrical member I34 by a cross bar I56, extending across the annular groove I58. The indicator I54 is mounted on a .member I58 bent at right-angles to the bracket- I38 by a shaft I58 resiliently held in position by lock nuts I62, urging against a spring I64.

The cylindrical member I34 is also resiliently mounted by a compression spring I66 on the shaft I32, between the bracket I38 and a nut or handle I68 fixed to the shaft which extends through an opening II8 .on the case member 4, to permit resetting of the indicators.

Depressing the rod 68 by forcing downwardly on the knob 62 not only acts to rotate the cylinder but also raisesthe loop II5 of the spring II4 until the loop engages the angular projection I I8 when tension is applied to the spring II4, thereby causing the rectangular lever I82 to rotate very slightly in a counter-clockwise direction against the tension of spring I28. This slight rotation of, the rectangular lever I82 causes the .16

portion I22 thereof to move downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 9, and to move the cylindrical member I34 an amount equivalent to theclearance H5, which clearance H5 is adjufited to be' 5 equalto a single tooth on the toothed wheel II8,

thereby exposing a diiferent portion of the indicia I35 through the opening I30.

When the knob 62 has been depressed a number of times equal to the number of individual divi-.

1o sions of the indicia I35 on the cylindrical member I34, a complete revolution thereof will have been accomplished; the bell I48 will be sounded and'the indicator I54 moved to a new position, indicating visually in addition to the audible signal given. by the bell I48, that the cylindrical member I has made a complete revolution.

In order to provide a convenient means for keeping thescores of the individual players, another bracket I12, Fig. 5, mounted on the base member 2, is provided with a shaft I14 on which are mounted two wheels'l'lt, each provided with a flange I18, extending through openings I80, Fig. 1, for convenient manipulation on the outside of the case member 4 to expose, throughopenings I82, the score of each player.

The playing field is a substantially rectangular board 200 made of any suitable material, for example, wood, and is laid out as a conventional gridiron with side lines 202, which may be in the form of a groove to receive a 10-yard indicator 202 are yard-markers 203 at 5 yard intervals run ning from zero, at one goal line, to 50 at the central stripe and decreasing to the other goal line.

40 Between the 5 yard lines 205 may be short 1. yard lines 20! running between grooves 206 and 202. The-1 yard lines 201 are preferably lighter than the 5 yard stripes 205 and may extend allthe way across the field if desired. Additional markers 2I6- along the side lines 202 divide the playing field into four substantially equal distances, which are designated as zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, with zone 4 as the area closest to a touchdown and zone 1 the area near the goaIline-being defended, as indicated by the arrow 2I8. The view of the playing field shown in Fig. 3 shows only-about one-half of the field and the opposite half would be substantially the same except that the zones 2H5 and the arrow 218 would be reversed.

The playing mechanism is also provided with suitable indicia 240, 242, 244 and 246 to indicate zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, which zones cor-- I respond with those on the playing field. As shown in Fig. 2, the zone 5 ample, as illustrated in Fig. '1, each zone is pro.-

.vided with six divisions 250, 252, 254, 255; 258, and 260, which may berespectively, as indicated: end run, cross buck, line buck, reverse, pass, andipunt,

.so that a player, when in any of the zones, may 7 select the play which he wishes to make,

Zones 2, 3, and 4 are also provided with similar plays. In zone 4 which ,is that closest to a touchdown is indicia for another play, drop kick" to permit a team to try this instead of a punt when within f 25 yards of goal.

indicia on the playing mechanism is applied to both sides where a double set of indicia is provided on the cylinder I 0 to enable the The playing mechanism may be placed on a boardlike member 210 on which are printed the rules of the game. The indicia on the cylinder I0 might read Penalty offense Holding and by reference to the rules on the board 210 this would be interpreted as a loss of 15 yards. Other interpretations of the ifidicia on the cylinder I0 could be placed on the board 210 as may be necessary. In-

. stead of printing the rules on an extra member 210 they could be put on the sides of thecasing 4. In this case it may be especially desirable to arrange the time and quarter indicators as well as the scoring mechanism at the end: of the playing mechanism to leave both of the entire sides of the casing 4 free.

Before operating the playing mechanism the scoring indicators are set so that zeros are exposed through the openings I82. The handle I68 on the end of the shaft I32, exposed through the opening I10 on the auxiliary casing I2, is turned until the quarter indicator I54 exposes the word First through the opening above it and the indicia I35 exposed through the opening I31 in the auxiliary casing I2 is that for the beginning of play.

The indicia on the fiat cylindrical member I34 may be any arbitrarily selected but it has been found that the average play occupies approximately one-half minute and accordingly there are about thirty plays to a quarter. This fact makes it convenient to provide indicia I36 on the flat cylindrical member" 34 as numerals running from fifteen to zero in half numeral integrals, i. e., 15, 14 14, 13 which may be interpreted as minutes to play in the given quarter.

'When the score indicators have been restored to zero, the quarter indicators set at First" and the minute indicator set at 15, the playing mechanism is ready for initial operation.

The game is played by two teams each having a representative acting as quarterback to determine the plays that are used. The game may be begun as an ordinary football game by one of the players selecting his goal and the other deciding whether or not to kick ofi or to receive.

Since the first playnecessarily begins with a kickoff, it is not generally necessary to set the play indicator adjacent the kickofij indicia on. the casing 4, as this play will, of course, be readily understood.

The quarterback or some member of the team electing to kick off then depresses the knob 62 to actuate the playing device. Depressing the knob 62 sets the cylindrical member I0 rotating and also actuates the rectangular lever I02, causing the dog I24 to move the minute indicator is exposed through opening I31 the figures 14 which operation is repeated each time the-knob 52 is depressed for a play" and a lower num- I ber exposed. The cylindrical member I0 rotates freely and not under further control of the knob 62 until friction gradually brings it to rest and the indicia 14, 18, and 80 is accordingly alined through the longitudinal opening I8 in the-casing 4 by' the spring54 actuatingthe pawl 50 to engage the ratchet 45: when the cylindrical member I0 has come to rest, the result of the klckoif is read through the longitudinal opening I1 on that portion of the cylindrical member I0, which exposes the,indi,cia opposite 264, corresponding to the kickoff. j

In a game played by two opposing teams, the quaterback of the "visiting team" elected to kick 011'. He accordingly set the play indicator 24 opposite indicia 264 kick oil! 136 one step so that, at the end of the play. there j and actuated the play-.

ing mechanism by depressing the knob 62. When the cylindrical member I0 came to rest there was exposed through the longitudinal opening I6 beneath the indicator 24 the words Touchback, indicating that the ball had been kicked over the opponents goal line. A student of football would appreciate that the ball would be put back into play on the -yard line. If the persons playing are not strictly familiar with the rules of football, the term Touchback could be interpreted by the rules printed on the board 210, or on the sides of .the casing 4, which would give the necessary information. The playing piece 208 would then be set inthe groove 206 with the line 2 I0 on the 20- yard line facing toward the goal, as indicated by the arrow 2I8. The 10-yard marker 204 would be set with one end on the 20-yard line and the other on the 30-yard line. The board is now arranged to indicate the position of the teams for the first play from scrimmage and the down marker 2I4 is turned so that the numeral 1 faces toward the side line 202. e .The quarterback of the home team now in possession of the ball decides what play he wishes to use. From the indicia 2 I6 on the side lines he will find that play is in zone 1, that is, within 24 yards of the goal which he is defending. This is the zone in which great care must be used to avoid fumbles or other acts which would put the opposing team in possession of the ball within close strik-ng distance of goal and, accordingly, the quarterback will probably select a play such as line buck. Assume that he selects such a play, he sets the play indicator 24 opposite linej buck 264 and operates the playing mechanism. When the cylindrical member I0 had come to rest, he found that the indicia exposed under the play indicator read Gain 4 yards", and, accordingly, the playing piece 208 is moved forward 4 yards, so that the line 2I0 is on the 24-yard line. The down marker 2 I 4 is then turned to show that it is second down. Assume that the quarterback again decides to use a. line buck. The result of this play,

- as determined by the playing mechanism, was a loss of 1 yard, so that the playing piece 208 must be moved backward until the line 2l0 is on the 23-yard line. It is now third down and, since the ball is in dangerous territory, the quarter-' back will probably elect to punt. He, therefore, moves the play indicator 24 until it is opposite the indicia 260 to indicate a punt and the playing mechanism again operated. 'Theindicia on the cylindrical member I0 read Out of bounds on own 38-yard line which gives the vistors possession of the ball on their opponents 39 -yard line. The playing piece 208 is then moved over to the opposite side of the -field so that the line 2l0 is on the 39-yard line but facing in the opposite direction from what it was for the first several plays. The IO-yard indicator 204, or another similar piece, is'placed with one end on the 39- yard line and the other end on the 29-yard line.

indicia on cylindrical element IIl opposite the.

' play indicator is Fumble, 4-yard loss, recovered by offense. The ball is, therefore, still in the possession of the Visitors but is on the 43-yard line with second down and fourteen to go. The quarterback of the .Visitors now thinks that a play must be used which will gain'a substantial amount of ground and, therefore, decides to pass, setting the play indicator 24 on the indicia'in zone 3 opposite that indicating a pass. The operation of the playing mechanism determines that the pass is Incomplete. It is, therefore, third down on the 43-yard line with 14 yards to go. As the next play, the quarterback calls for a reverse by setting the play indicator 24 opposite that play. After operating the playing mechanism the indicia on the cylindrical member I0 is Loss 1 yard. With fourth down on the 44-yard line and 15 yards to go the quarterback naturally decides to punt and sets the play indicator 24 opposite that play. When the rotating cylinder I0 of the playing mechanism comes to rest the indicia exposed opposite the play indicator is Kick 25 yards return 12". Twenty-five yards from the 44-yard line is the 19-yard line and the return of 12 yards by the safety man puts the ball in the Home teams possession on the 31-yard line.

Playing piece 208 is then restored to the groove 206 with the line 2I0 on the 31-yard line while the IO-yard marker extends from the 31-yard line to the 41-yard line. It is now first down on the 31-yard line which is in'zone 2. The Home team quarterback calls the signals for a reverse by setting the play indicator 24 opposite the play reverse in the area 242 indicating zone 2 on the casing 4 of the playing mechanism. After operating the playing mechanism the indicia exposed is Loss of 2 yards making it second down on the 29-yardline with 12 yards to go. A cross buck is now' selected by placing the play indicator 24 opposite this play, which results in "No gain. The next play called is a reverse, which results in another loss of 2 yards, putting the ball in play on the 27-yard line, fourth down, and 14 yards to go. The punt results in the ball going Out of bounds on the 50-yard line, after which the playing piece 208 is taken to the other side of the field and faced in the opposite direction, play being continued in the same manner as above indicated until the timing mechanism actuates the bell striker I26 and sounds the bell bell I48 issounded cross-member "I56 has con- A Reference to the zone markers 2I6 on the optacted the arm I52 of the quarter indicator I54 and moved it a quarter revolution to expose through the opening above, the indicia Second". I Play is continued after the reversal of fields through the second quarter and then the second half is played in a manner similar to the When a team scores points by touchdown, safety, field goal, point after touchdown, or the like, these scores are recorded on the scoring mechanism I80.

Since zone 4 is that closest to goal, there is provided on the playing mechanism among the indicia of 246 an additional area, or an extra play which is designated Field goal, so that a team, when within 25 yards of the goal line may use this play if desired.

As suggested above-the indicia on the cylindrical member I0 is preferably based upon statistics from actual college games and from these I48 to indicate the end of a quarter, at which of different plays vary with the zone where the scrimmage is taking place. there is set forth in the table below the compara- To exemplify this 2,061,221 statistics it has been foundthat the success means for starting rotation of the cylindrical element and an indicator actuated in accordance with the number of'actuations of the starting means and provided with indicia representing the tive indicia for a' "pass in the several zones: progress of a playing period. Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Incom lete Interce ted on o onents 46 re- Incomplete enalty asser not 5 yards p turn yards pp behind lineal scrimmage Intertgqpted on own 40, return 7 Penalty, defense ofl'side Penalty,fiintentionally grounding Complete, gain 1 yard ar pass. 0 ense Ininmnlete l'm-nmnlete Complete, gain 8 yards Complete, gain 10 yards Inercepted, returned for touch- Incomplete (i m iplg tafl yard gain on forward Incomplete own a er Incomplete Gain 6 yards I l t e Incomplete Incomplete Gain 17 yards Complete, touchdown Incomplete Penalty, lntsgrieregzie with pass re- Incomplete Penalty, defense ofi'side Incomplete ceiver on or me Complete, gai s yards Inonmnlefp Interceptedon10,returned20yards. Complete touchdown Complete, gain25yards Intercepted on 50 yard line, re- Incomplete Intercepted on goal line,re-.

' turned 10 yards turned to 18 yard line Complete, gain 17 yards Inonmnlatn Inr-nm nlnta Incompl te Gin? 38 yards on a forward double Incomplete Intercepted on 24, returned 4 yards. Complete, gain 4 yards a era Incomplete Tackled for 8 yard loss. l Complete, gain 2 yards Incomplete Incomplet Inmmnlntn Complete, gain 3 yards Complete, gain 3 yards Intercepted on own 42, return 2 Inonmpiatn Tnnnmnlai'e Penalty, interference ith yards pass receiver on 2 yard line Incomplete Gain 36 yards Complete, gain 7 yards Incomplete Incomplete Touchdown on flee flicker Incomplete Complete, gain 2 yards Fl rmble bad pass from center, eyard Incomplete Complete, gem 4 yards Incomplete oss Incomplete Complete, gain 9 yards Inmm nl Incomplete combination of above his head, or a penalty for off side may be shown by the figure of a man with his hands on his hips, these being the positions assumed by the referee to indicate to the players and spectators the character of the offense, or the result of the play. By using figures instead of words the player of the game is made familiar with these types .of signals and, therefore, better able to understand them when they are used in a regulation football game. These figures, when used, should be interpreted by the'directions and rules on the board 210, or bythe directions printed on the sides of the casing e.

It will thus be apparent that this invention comprises a game device simple in operation and readily understood by all players, which furnishes, as nearly as possible in an indoor game, all of the situations and results that obtain in a regulation game. .,'I'he game device also provides education and amusement for the players.

While the invention hasbeen more specifically described as applied to'football, it will be apparent that the elements used and particularly the a play selector with a playing mechanism and suitable indicia, are employed, be used other types of games.

.The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, which is to be considered-simply as illustrative ofone of the preferred forms which the invention may take to simulate and not as a limitation of it. The invention should, therefore, be limited only in the light of the 'prior art and by the scope of the appended claims.

WhatI claim is: a v 1". In a game device a playing mechanism comprising a base, a cylindrical element having thereon a plurality-of circumferentialsets of individual indicia, a shaft extending axially from said cylindrical element, means for rotatably mounting said cylindrical element on said base,

a playing field may, when other 2. In a game device a playing mechanism comprising a base, a, cylindrical element having thereon a plurality of circumferential sets of indi vidual indicia, a shaft extending axially from said cylindrical element, means for rotatably mounting said cylindrical element on said base, a ratchet I fixed to said shaft, a pawl, means for actuating said pawl and rotating said ratchet, and means operated by each actuation of said pawl to indicate the progress of a playing period.

3. In a game device a playing mechanism comprising a base, a cylindrical element having thereon a plurality of circumferential setsof individual indicia, a shaft extending axially from said cylindrical element, means for rotatably mounting said cylindrical element on said base, a ratchet fixed to said shaft, means for rotatably mounting a pawl on said shaft, a pawl engageable withsaid ratchet, means for rotating said pawl mounting, a pivoted lever movable through a small are by said pawl mounting, a dog on said pivoted lever engaging a. toothed wheel, an indicator and a toothed wheel attached thereto, said toothed wheel being rotated stepwise by the dog on the pivoted lever, and indicia on the indicator representing the progress of a playing period.

' 4. In a game device a playing mechanism comprising a base, a cylindrical element having thereon a plurality of circumferential sets of individual indicia, a shaft extending axially from said cylindrical element, means for rotatably mounting. said'cylindrical element on said base, means for starting rotation of the cylindrical element, an indicator movable stepwise by each actuation'of the starting means and provided with iridicia representing the prcgress of a. playing period, and

, a second indicator actuated by said first indicator.

lindrical element on said base, 7

actuated by said first indicator once for each complete revolution ofsaid first indicator. 1

on said base, means for starting rotation of said cylindrical element, an indicator for determining the individual indicia when rotation of the cylindrical element has ceased, an indicator graduated in minutesto play actuated step by step for each actuation of the starting means, and a second indicator actuated by said first indicator graduated in periods layed.

7,. Ina game device wherein a surface provided with suitable indicia simulates a football playing field, the combination comprising a playing mechanism having a base, a rotatable cylindrical element mounted on said base having thereon a plurality of circumferential sets of individual indicia, each circumferential set of indicia corresponding to a particular football play and the individual indicia to the results of such play, a casing enclosing said cylindrical element provided with a longitudinal opening to expose a portion of the cylindrical element, indicia on said -30 casing near the longitudinal opening corresponding to particular plays on the cylindrical element, a play indicator slidable along. the longitudinal opening to designate a circumferential set of indicia and accordingly a particular play, means to set the cylindrical element rotating, means associated with said rotating means to stop, the

rotation of the cylindricalelement when an individual ,indicia giving the result of the play is exposed through the longitudinal opening opposite the play indicator, and an indicator provided with indicia corresponding to minutes to play actuated by said means to set the cylindrical element rotating.

8. In a game device wherein a surface provided with suitable indicia simulates a football playing field, the combination comprising a playing mechanism having a base, a rotatable cylindrical element mounted on said base having thereon a plurality of circumferential sets of individual indicia, each circumferential set of indicia corresponding to a particular football play and the individual indicia to the results of such play, a casing enclosing said cylindrical element provided with a longitudinal opening to expose a. portion of the cylindrical element, indicia on said casing near the longitudinal opening corresponding to particular plays on the cylindrical element, a play indicator slidable along the longitudinal opening to designate a circumferential set of indicia and accordingly a particular play, means to set the cylindrical elementrotating, means associated with said rotating means to stop the rotation of the cylindrical element when an individual indicia giving the result of the play is exposed through the longitudinal opening op-'- posite' the play indicator, an indicator provided with indicia corresponding to minutes to play actuated by said means to set the cylindrical element rotating, and a, second indicator actuated by said first indicator provided with indicia to designate periods.

, EDWIN H. CRAIG. 

